Reviews (9)

Death before being dishonored.
An important and imperative work. Investigative journalisim at its best under trying circumstances. American at its core, in that it gets a tough and dirty job done. Not with the help of government, but despite it.In this Reagan era of privitizaton/trust the market place, we have a choice: trust Bush or the dollar.How could you lose?Thebook opens and closes with Col. Ted Westhusing, the definition of his alma mater, WEST POINT: DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. Third in his class, plus a doctor of philosophy, and an exemplary record of war/peace service. Yet he met his nemesis: Iraq. For in Iraq he found a war of privitization that had nothing what so ever to do with DUTY, HONOR, or COUNTRY.It was simply about the money, or at best, cronyism.Whether it was murder or suicide, his last communication was in writing and I paraphrase, " I cannot support a mission that leads to corruption, human rights abuse and liars. No more. I cannot support corrupt, money hungry contractors, nor work for commanders only intersested in themselves. I came to serve honorably and I feel dishonored.Why serve when you cannot accomplish the mission, when you no longer believe in the cause, when your every effort and breath is met with lies, lack of support and selfishness.Life needs trust". So what comes around goes around.When a government is "elected" that produces Iraqs and Katrinas then you get the government you deserve.Col. Ted Westhusing desevered better. We, the citizenry could count on him.But in the end, he could not count on us. This book needs to be read and passed on by word of mouth.I wouln't count on the privitized mainstream press.I think there are about a total of four papers left that still have a investigative journalism department.After all, it is all about the bottom line. The Money. Highly recommended!!!!!

Bush and Friends Strike Again!
A free and democratic Iraq was supposed to become an oasis.The U.S. has committed over $30 billion to rebuild Iraq - more than the $2.4 billion (inflation-adjusted) spent on Germany after WWII, and far more than the $2 billion originally planned to rebuild Iraq.In addition, over 500 contractor employees have died trying to make Iraq a better place.Goals were rarely set, and even less often met.Yet, after three years of rebuilding, Iraqis have less power in their homes than under Saddam, oil production is about 20% below pre-Saddam days, outbreaks of easily preventable diseases like hepatitis occur for lack of clean drinking water, and thousands of Iraqis have died in sectarian conflict.
Reader make up their own mind
Blood Money is a dramatic, persuasive and meticulous work. It would be better without the biased innuendos found throughout, such as VP Chaney somehow benefiting through the government contracts with his old company, Haliburton Oil. No proof of this is offered.
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Subjects:  1. Economic Conditions    2. Economic aspects    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. International Relations (Specific Aspects)    6. International Relations - General    7. Iraq War, 2003-    8. Military Expenditures    9. Moral and ethical aspects    10. Petroleum    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. Political Science    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics/International Relations    15. United States    16. 21st century    17. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    18. Current Events / General    19. Iraq    20. USA    21. War & defence operations   

Reviews (68)

Powerful and problematic...
As a journalist, Robert Fisk has a reputation which precedes him, but one might still mistake this title for a history.It isn't.Fisk has authored an extended op-ed that is disturbing, infuriating, perplexing and, clearly, ideologically driven.That he brings to light abhorrent images of senseless death, destruction, and unending futility is, in itself, deeply influential, but this reportage is tinged by a bias that introduces fallacy, non sequitur, contradiction, willful omission, defamation, and conspiracy theory.
Excellent but Overwhelming
Mr. Fisk presents a point of view seldom seen in the US. He questions the wisdom of trying to spread Western-style democracy in countries that in some cases are not really countries at all (e.g., Iraq), an opinion that is a total anathema in the US. What, democracy is not the best form of government? Only if the country can really do democracy.
Through a lens darkly
Fisk's book is a massive conpendium of personal experiences, historical insight, and philosophic discourse from a reporter of the Middle East who has seen it all.Well written and, despite the length, the book is engrossing- filled with information not only of the mega-history of the region, but of the individuals drawn within the tempests of Islam's conflict with the West.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. 21st century    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History, Military    6. History: World    7. International Relations - General    8. Middle East    9. Middle East - General    10. Middle East - History - 20th Century    11. Military - General    12. War And Peace    13. War and society    14. Current Events / Political   

Reviews (12)

If you miss the exhibit , buy the book
I will see the Exhibit in Chicago and have visited the Cairo Museum, but this book is like revisiting the exhibit or the next best thing to seeing it!

Zahi Hawass brings it all to life with fascinating detail
King Tut died around 1350 BC. and theories on the cause of death range from a hunting accident to murder. X-rays revealed signs of a blow to the back of his head, however. After his tomb was found in 1922, his death mask and golden coffin became among the most famous Egyptian artifacts in the world. The teenage king of ancient Egypt is best-known by his golden death mask. But a fiberglass reconstruction of Tutankhamen based on computer models generated X-rays in 1969 of his mummified corpse bear little resemblance to the golden funeral mask found in the pharaoh's tomb. But Tut's mummified head was too dried and sunken to give life-like dimensions for the reconstruction team said National Geographic.
The Original King of Bling
Tutankhamen makes the Crown Jewels look like costume jewelry.I saw the exhibit in Fort Lauderdale, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.Everywhere you look there's another 3500-year-old masterpiece crusted with gold and jewels, and Tut was just one of many Pharaohs - they all received this kind of treatment.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Antiquities    3. Archaeological Museums And Collections    4. Archaeology    5. Egypt    6. Eighteenth dynasty, ca. 1570-1    7. Eighteenth dynasty, ca. 1570-1320 B.C.    8. Exhibitions    9. Historical Archaeology    10. History    11. History - General History    12. History: World    13. King of Egypt    14. Middle East - Egypt    15. Tutankhamen,    16. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    17. Ancient Egypt    18. Egyptian archaeology    19. History / Ancient / Egypt   

Reviews (95)

Captivating and Proficient Historical Account ...
David Fromkin's "A Peace to End All Peace" is a wondefully researched and well-written account that covers the political creation of the modern Middle East from the period starting during World War I and the years immediately subsequent to it.Although Fromkin tackles the project in a somewhat predictable, chronological manner, his book is supremely researched and engaging thanks in part to the book's prescient subject matter.
Just the facts
This book is actual history.There is little agenda or argument that does not rise directly out of the facts presented.Only the introduction and the conclusion put forth speculation as to cause and effect.Given that, this book is likely too detailed for many, but the personalities of Churchill, Lloyd George, Ener, Talaat, Kitchener, Sykes, T.E. Lawrence are drawn through their documented action, and the history really moves.It's a fascinating story and essential as the details of WWI are not as clearly understood as are those of WWII.However, this book seems to suggest the opposite of its stated case.It turns out that the Middle East lands were largely ignored prior to WWI, and without the knowledge of or appetite for oil, it is easy to understand why.
wrong-headed
This is not a book for the general reader.It'stoo long, too detailed, and it requires too much knowledge of history, geography and politics.I give it two stars because Fromkin has labored mightily to produce an argument about the most volatile,yet from the West's perspective, strategic region in the world.
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Subjects:  1. 1914-1945    2. Foreign relations    3. General    4. Great Britain    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. International Relations - General    9. Jewish - General    10. Middle East    11. Middle East - General    12. Politics and government   

Reviews (13)

Brings the politics and lives to the foreground as no professional politician's words could achieve.
The Prince of the Marshes And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraqprovides an unusual survey of Stewart's time as an interim and deputy governor in Iraq's marsh regions. His THE PLACES IN BETWEEN became a best seller and told of his walk across Afghanistan and encounters with the region's people; here he describes nearly a year in a remote, improvised marsh region in southern Iraq negotiating hostage releases, holding elections, and developing an uncertain government leadership. Any who would understand the peoples and politics of Iraq must read The Prince of Marshes: it brings the politics and lives to the foreground as no professional politician's words could achieve.
Wow*****Now I Understand
I am so glad that I brought this book. I wanted to understand some of the conditions and situations from an unbias view. Mr Stewart tells his story and does it well.If you truly want to learn more about Iraq, prepare yourselves and read this book. I would loved to meet this unique person just to shake his hand and say "well done".

Middle East in a Nutshell!
Rory, just so you know, your book is now a required reading in my conflict analysis and resolution course, at a graduate peace program in Washington DC. Your point well made! THANK YOU! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. British    7. Description and travel    8. Iraq    9. Iraq - History    10. Middle East - General    11. Military - General    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Social life and customs    14. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (45)

When The Flag Had 52 Stars
Nov. 4, 1979 dawned wet and chill on the streets of Tehran, Iran. Life would get much hotter before the day was out. The American embassy would be stormed by hundreds of students, and it would take 444 days before 52 of those captured inside saw freedom again. For them, and many of their countrymen, days went by slowly as the concept of Islamo-fascist terrorism was forcibly introduced upon the global stage.
Bowden nails it
I like to read Mark Bowden for his clear prose and his ablity to to tell a tale.
Meticulous As Always
Mark Bowden delivers his excellent work at another crucial point in the relations between Iran and the wider world.Iran somehow identifies itself primarily in its opposition to the United States, whether it bethe Olympic loss of the US basketball team or the one-term presidency of Jimmy Carter."Guests of the Ayatollah" is mostly composed of the experiences of the hostages, but by placing the events in a larger global context Mark Bowden creates an extremely relevant and compelling work.Bowden's recent visits to Iran to interview some of the hostage-takers reveal a rainbow of opinion, some are embarassed by their youthful enthusiasm, and others who have parlayed the eventsof 1979 into political careers.Dropping the dramatic movie-script style of Black Hawk Down, Bowden still delivers a taut, interesting, and as usual, insightful book.
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Subjects:  1. Chronology    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Hostages    6. International Relations - General    7. Iran    8. Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981    9. Middle East - General    10. Middle East - Iran    11. Personal narratives    12. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    13. U.S. Foreign Relations    14. U.S. History - 1970s    15. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    16. History / Middle East   

Reviews (23)

All warfighters should read this
This book should be read by a variety of folks that desire to understand even a little bit more about what is happening and happening to US in the middle east. It is not a book that spends countless pages complaining about the state of union. This book will enable the tip of the spear as we are so fond of refering to our fighting forces, concise and credible information with regard to the mindset of thier opposing forces. I have been told over and over, that you cannot defeat an opponent unless you understand how he/she thinks. It does shed some light on how the military-industrial complex is steering the people of many countries wrong by proposing extensive, expensive weapon systems that separate the men from the battle and advertise a zero loss of life war for our side. (Both sides should just throw rocks, it'll be simpler) And above all it mentions the one issue that is generating higher and higher turnover rates, ARMCHAIR warfighters, and the military personnel system, that rewards compliance and not innovation, that condones indivualist and fails to properly reward teamwork. Battles should be fought from front to back and not the reverse as we are doing. I reccomend this book to all, and not just to those in uniform.

Good read
The book was very informative though appeared padded by newspaper accounts of terrorist activities which made the book longer than it really needed to be. Excellent historical background which linked the past with the present, providing a how and why of our present circumstances.

Peering Into the Shadows
H. John Poole takes up the banner he flies in his earlier work The Tiger's Way.He addresses the challenges of what he calls Eastern-style light infantry fighting a Western-style force with the added wrinkle of Middle Eastern guerilla/insurgency.Poole's work in Crescent Moon is needed.Westerners look down our collective noses at Middle Eastern military capability.Poole attempts to shake us out of our arrogant torpor by analyzing just how the Afghans defeated the Soviets, how the Chechens are defeating the Russians, and how the Iraqi insurgency is making progress in Iraq.Unfortunately, Poole does not offer many specific solutions.However, I can overlook this shortcoming because I believe Poole's real focus is on convincing his readers that there is a problem.No solution will be palatable to Westerners until Westerners believe a solution might be needed.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History / Middle East    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military - Strategy    7. Technology / Military Science   

Reviews (9)

A useful compendium of original source material
I obtained this volume of translations of Ancient Near Eastern texts and pictures along with its companionVolume I � An Anthology of Texts and Pictures which was first published in 1958.This volume, which was published in 1975,includes translations of more recently discovered material selected from the 1969 anthologyof Supplementary Texts and Pictures Relating to the Old Testament. A useful compendium of original source material
I bought this book along with its companion:Volume II � A New Anthology of Texts and Pictures,because it was time for me to see for myself what the the original sources had to say about the Ancient Near East. A Stimulating Resource
Volume II or "The Ancient Near East" is a good companion to Volume I, containing mythic, legal, and monumental information from the Middle East Bronze and Iron Ages. It really puts youback there to read actual letters and contracts, or to see the developments in poetic, narrative and visual arts. The only real problem is the lack of consistent dating infomation, particularly for the artwork. It makes it difficult to form a conceptual picture if things are presented in what appears to be a random order. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Bible    3. Bible.    4. Collections    5. General    6. History    7. History of contemporary events    8. History: World    9. Middle East - Egypt    10. Middle Eastern literature    11. O.T    12. O.T.    13. Oriental literature    14. Philosophy    15. Translations into English    16. ASIA    17. Ancient World    18. Archaeology and Ancient History    19. Biblical archaeology    20. History / Egypt    21. Mind, Body, Spirit    22. Reference    23. Religion   

Reviews (80)

Yes, this is true!
This was a very confusing time for us at home trying to read the news. Bing West explains the interaction between the politicians and military commanders. My brother was in Fallujah at this time and enjoyed finding new information.

Average "Joe" view
It's truly amazing what our military men an women go through in Iraq (and elsewhere). Unselfissly risking their lives to help total strangers.Very intense. The book puts you right there in the action.The author comes across as very objective about the war.

Marine dad's view.
My Marine son gave me this book for Christmas 2005 after his deployment to Fallujah. I could not put it down from page one.Bing West is the "real deal" and sets forth the compelling story of the Battle of Fallujah as only a Marine can do. This work is a true and fitting tribute to the brave men who exemplify the best of the Marine Corps core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment."No True Glory" is a must read for any parent with a son in the Corps.
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Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Fallujah, Battle of, Fallåujah, Iraq, 2004    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military    7. Military - Iraq War    8. Military - Strategy    9. Military History - 1990-    10. Political Freedom & Security - General    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Rebellion And Insurgency    13. History / Military / United States   

Reviews (1)

The Hows & Whys of a Historical Tragedy
A lot of experts say that there are four periods in modern times that helped shape present-day China:World War II, the Civil War & rise of the Chinese Communist Party, the Great Leap Forward & resulting famine, and the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.I'm not an expert, merely someone who's interested in History, but I tend to agree.This theory explains many things, including why true republicanism is coming so slowly to the People's Republic.But there is one further question everyone asks - How can something like the Cultural Revolution happen?
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Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. China    3. Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    8. History / China    9. c 1960 to c 1970   

Editorial Review

The 2003 American invasion of Iraq was contentious, not just in the arena of global public opinion, but within the tight-lipped world of the George W. Bush White House. As Bob Woodward reveals in Read more

Reviews (246)

The 'art' of equivocation.....
Mr Woodward: You are confusing us.
SHOCK AND AWE
It was published in '04, and now, reading it in 09/06, as a latecomer all I can say is, it reads like the careful planning and pains-taking execution of an earth-shattering catastrophe.Years from now I expect George Bush will replace James Buchanan as America's worst president. For this reason alone, the book is or ought to be required reading.It is absolutely fascinating, even now as we look at the smoking ruins of cities and the heaps of corpses, both civilian and military. Less "why we went to war," more "how we went to war"
If you're anything like me, then you've probably been frustrated on more than one occasion when you've looked through your local bookstore's/library's collection of current political events books in a vain attempt to educate yourself as to what has happened in our world since 2000.Plan of Attack by Bob Woodward was my first attempt to learn more about the causes and effects of events that have shaped recent history.I picked it because Bob Woodward was a familiar name (he helped expose the Watergate scandal) out of the dozens of unfamiliar ones and it claimed to have more personal interview time with key people than others on the same subject.
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Subjects:  1. Causes    2. Government - Executive Branch    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. History - General History    5. International Relations - General    6. Iraq War, 2003    7. Military policy    8. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    9. Political Science    10. Politics/International Relations    11. United States    12. Current Events / General    13. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Editorial Review

The war on terror has created near unanimity on many points, at least within the American press and political leadership. One essential point of agreement: al Qaeda specifically and radical Islamism in general are stirred by a hatred of modernity. Or as President George W. Bush has articulated repeatedly, they hate freedom. Nonsense, responds the nameless author of this work and 2003's Read more

Reviews (160)

Good, but not Excellent
Overall, this is a great insider's view on CIA work in East Asia against Osama.Mr.Scheuer does a great job explaining the in's and outs of whats going on, being careful not to divulge classified data, but at the same time, paint an open picture of whats going on.
A must read!
As for books on terrorism I believe this is a must read. Michael Scheuer brings up some great point in this book although I do not agree with everything that he has written. One of the more disturbing parts of this book are his views about the United States relationship with Israel. For someone who has worked in the government for such a long time one would think that he understands the benefits of the U.S having a relationship with Israel. It would appear that Mr. Scheuer sees no benefit to such a relationship and he clearly articulates that such a friendship with the Jewish state is causing the U.S. harm. Despite his viewpoint on Israel, Mr. Scheuer brings up many valid points regarding how the U.S. is conducting the global war on terror. This book offers more benefits than disappointments. Like I said, I do not agree with all of his viewpoints but then again I have not seen the information that his had access to while employed with the CIA. Read this book with an open mind and make your own judgement.

Bin Ladin and our failures
The title had me questioning whether I should read the book or not.We all know who the author is now, he is Mike Scheuer.I had problems with the first 3/4 of the book, feeling as if I couldn't figure out who's side he is on. Some have compared him to Neville Chamberlain (if you don't know who he is, look him up.) This comparison is preposterous. I think the author is trying to explain Bin Ladin along with our failures from their side.I kept waiting for the pedestal talk to stop, and it finally did at the end of the book.It is definitely a thought provoking book and should be read by all, if you can get by the semantics and on to the last couple chapters.Tough to find a book that takes on terror, Bin Ladin and the Taliban in this way, but I wish the author would make he himself clear.Maybe that's just his mystique.We are reading the terrorists the wrong way, there is no doubt. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Bin Laden, Osama,    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Government policy    5. History    6. Jihad    7. Middle East - General    8. Military    9. Military - General    10. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Qaida (Organization)    13. Terrorism    14. United States    15. United States - 21st Century    16. War on Terrorism, 2001-    17. History / Middle East    18. International relations    19. Middle East    20. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Reviews (2)

Insightful and Riveting and Revealing
I read this book over the course of one weekend, it was that good. The book gets to the heart of what our severely wounded veterans face from the exact time of the injury on the battlefield to the care they receive in our military hospitals, to their day to day recovery, relationships with their families and how they cope with the loss of not only a limb but in some cases, their whole identity.This book made me realize how much they really do lose and sacrifice to defend this country no matter where or when.I have a new appreciation for the true heroes of our day, the men and women of our military, especially the heroes who lose limbs in the line of duty.

A Must-Read for the Wounded and All Who Care About Them
With great insight and compassion, Michael Weisskopf brings us the stories of the amputees of this generation's wars.Weisskopf himself lost his dominant hand while embedded with soldiers in Iraq in preparation for Time's 2003 Person of the Year edition. He picked up a grenade that landed in his vehicle and awoke to a whole new life: Ward 57 of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Embedded war correspondents    3. History    4. History: World    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military    7. Military - Iraq War    8. Military - United States    9. Modern - 21st Century    10. Personal narratives, American    11. United States    12. Weisskopf, Michael    13. Wounds and injuries    14. History / Modern / 21st Century   

Reviews (11)

Good explanation of a confusing subject
The book gives a good acccount of the various Islamic militant factions and their interactions. The opinions seemed a bit "armchair general" and opinionated at times, but they made several good points. I'd recommend the book although it had the following drawbacks for me: